We can’t produce food at Third World prices

I WISH to reply to a few points raised by James McGrath in his letter headlined ‘Farm subsidies used as a weapon against developing countries’ (Irish Examiner letters, December 21).

Firstly, I don’t think we would agree on anything because judging by the tone of his letter, our views seem diametrically opposed.

The only subsidy which may be trade distorting is export refunds, and this is being phased out. I never once mentioned it in my letter headlined ‘WTO threat to our food supply (Irish Examiner letters, December 16).